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    Copal

    4.2 (440 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Closed 11:30 am - 9:30 pm

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    COPAL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Classy
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Copal

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    Oaxacahola cocktail
    Scott F.

    3% fee for using a credit card. - 5/5: The mole negro sauce is fantastic. I have had it with the chicken and ribs. The flavor is complex and multi-layered. You can buy the mole negro sauce for take-home: $6 for 6 oz - 5/5: The Oaxacaloha cocktail is great, and holds up to ice melt. rums, curacao, orgeat, juices, lime.

    Mariah S.

    We eat A LOT of Mexican food in the Sacramento area. This place was BOMB. The food is absolutely amazing. It's fresh, clean, flavorful, and has roots in Oaxaca, Mexico. I wish we had one in Sacramento!

    Ceviche, rice, adobo
    Joy F.

    Came in on a rainy Santa Cruz night and they were still offering HH - got a couple of cocktails, started with guac chips (guac was really good). Taquitos' shell was a little hard, short rib mole was amazing and the quesadilla was pretty good. Flan was the star! Noticed that there's water dripping from the ceiling that dropped on my shoulder and we informed our server and they said they knew. The thing is why would they seat us where there is a leak from the ceiling? There was also already small water puddles forming. Mind you there were plenty of other tables open. Service was friendly so that helped. Also while dining, we saw something crawling on the ground and we informed our server as well. My husband stepped on it (since it was moving fast on the floor and not sure what it was exactly) and showed it to our server. Long story short, they took off 10% of our bill, but not sure if we will pay another stop, after all, it's quite a drive.

    Amanda V.

    Fresh and flavorful food. Very kind, friendly, and quick service. Ambiance was clean and colorful. Would return

    Cute vessel the guac is served in
    Camille W.

    Came here as part of a party of seven. As previous Yelpers have noted, there is a great selection for vegetarians here. They offer both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. My friend had the NA smoke drink and it was delicious. Starts off smelling and tasting smoky, but ends rather smooth and sweet. Great balance. Make sure to check the menu online ahead of time. I wanted to order the Oaxaca salad and when I checked the in-person menu, I couldn't find it in the section I thought it would be in. When I asked the server, he was able to show me where it actually was on the menu. If you see something online that you like but don't see it in person, don't hesitate to ask your server and they'll help you navigate.

    Nopales (gf, vegan)
    Elena M.

    First time coming to Copal, I have to say the food was amazing great flavors and a variety of selections of food, great service and great recommendations since it was my first time friendly and attentive customer service, Family ambiance they have inside and outside seating I love the decor everything was great.

    Mole Negro (veg option)
    Calista C.

    A beautiful resturant with indoor and outdoor covered patio! They give you free chips and salsa. Super friendly service. Tried the mole negro and it was a very fair portion with a chicken thigh and leg with rice and 2 corn tortillas. The chicken was cooked very well, falling off the bone and super easy to eat!

    Empanada de Mole Amarillo
    Angela L.

    This is an Oaxaca restaurant located in Santa Cruz. The vibes feels mid-American however the menu looks Mexicanish. We ordered guac, taco and a dish that looks like nacho. However the guac tastes so salty and spicy that's not kid-friendly at all. The waitress confirms that the taste shouldn't be different than other Mexican restaurants except the citrus flavor. So she offered to make up by adding a plain avocado. We accepted. The other foods are ok, the shrimp taco is fresh and juicy. However this experience turns out surprising as we found the plain makeup avocado do was charged $8... we didn't ask for that and only accepted as a make up. And now we need to pay for the mistake on the taste as well as something we didn't initially want that much.. we feel tricked and also unsatisfied with the food. Probably won't come as there are better Mexican restaurants that don't do such things. Thanks.

    Margarita + Guacamole (gf, vegan)
    Alison J.

    Delicious food and ample portions! Since I have a nut allergy, the mole was not on the list for me, but everything I got was hearty and tasty. The margarita was also refreshing. Can't wait to go back!

    Menu
    Judy S.

    Always a favorite spot to dine when in Santa Cruz. Arrived early and had a beverage at the bar while working for our table. The house marg did not disappoint! Lovely and lively night as graduation is in full swing at UCSC We dined on Mole Negro (20/10)

    Mole Negro (veg option)
    Mary R.

    I was not expecting to find a restaurant with authentic food from Oaxaca in Santa Cruz! The presentation was absolutely stunning. There are a lot of different mole options, so it may be limiting in that aspect for some. I was going to try to Chile rellenos, but I ultimately decided on the mole negra-- delicious! I'm glad I branched out. I was not a fan of the nopales. The Michaela I got was good but nothing notable. Service is very friendly. A must try in my opinion.

    Mole Coloradito (veg option)
    Neeti P.

    *Vegetarian Foodie Review* Celebrated my husband's new job offer here with family. Ambiance was really great, perfect for special occasions, but service was okayish. Lots of Vegan and Vegetarian options. Complimentary chips and salsa were yum, but the salsa portion was very less. We had to ask multiple times for more salsa, signature sauces, also basic utensils like straws and forks. Our host was distracted and inattentive most of the time. Before ordering, we asked our server about the mole dishes as we had never tried them before. She kindly offered us small portions of the Mole Negro and Mole Coloradito sauces to try out before ordering. The Mole Negro had a strong chocolate flavor, reminiscent of cocoa, with a rich and complex taste and texture. However, it was too intense for my liking. The Mole Coloradito, on the other hand, was a subtler version, with the tomatoes helping to balance out the flavor. If you are not fond of sweet flavors in your main dishes, you might want to avoid the mole options. As a mole newbie, I feel it is acquired taste - you will most likely not love it on the first try! Here's what we ordered: - Tropicana (non-alcoholic drink): unique and tasty. My 4 year old finished it all. I hardly had a sip. - Mole Coloradito (Vegan): rich, complex flavor, but too strong for my liking - Mexican Coke: a new favorite! - Guacamole with chips (vegan): ABSOLUTE FAVE! 5/5, huge portion, and delicious - Kids Burrito: disappointing, too big and tough for my 4 year old to eat Highlights: - Our server was knowledgeable and helped us navigate the menu, especially with the mole dishes. - This restaurant offers rice cooked in vegetarian broth. Most of the Mexican restaurants have rice cooked in non-veg broth. Lowlights: - Expensive - Inattentive service - Some dishes were a miss Overall, a decent experience, but not without its flaws. Maybe we will try again to explore more of the menu.

    Margarita (on draft)
    Jonathan B.

    Four stars for the food, parking lot and other misc drops it down to 3.5 Let's get this out of the way: the parking lot needs a resurfacing, the spots are tight, and there simply aren't enough places to park. Don't park in Taqueria Vallarta next door because they tow. In full disclosure, I've only ever eaten/drunk in the bar -- somehow never made it into the restaurant itself despite multiple visits. There can be a long wait for a table and I prefer the bar anyway. On to the food, which is excellent: Taquitos: freshly fried, tasty and moist, not like the fast food crap you are as a kid. Filled with of pork, chicken, or potato - you can't go wrong. On special at happy hour. Memelitas: sort of like a sopa but not as thick. Topped with black bean paste and cheese -- add protein if you want. Decent but not craveworthy. Quesadillas: Wut? Unexpectedly outstanding. Maybe because I added chorizo. Generously sized and filled. The flavors hit. And surprise! The side of beans were also excellent. Definitely get this again. And again. Moles: Negro - they claim 30 ingredients slow roasted for three days. Its tastes rich and a little less spicy than some variants. Verde - not your garden variety green sauce but rather a subtle mix of herbs with a jalapeño kick. Strong. Amarillo - a pleasant surprise with subtle overtones of chiles. Many of the bar drinks are premade and come out a tap. Tasty but... bartenders use a ton of ice so you're get a half pour. Once I asked for no ice and got a custom drink served in an old style 4 oz glass. Bartenders seem happy and engage in banter with the guests. Copal is the place to come if you want authentic well crafted Mexican food and strong drinks

    Taquitos (gf / veg option) Nachos con Mole Negro (veg option) y tinga

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    20 days ago

    delicious oaxacan food, very hard to find in the bay area. i dont live very close but will be coming back

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    5 days ago

    I had me some really good enchiladas. The mole was dankopotamus. Twas quite a vibe indeed.

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    Copal Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Copal

    Are there high chairs?

    Yep!

    Does the patio have heaters?

    Yep!

    Are pets allowed in the patio?

    Yes

    Is the outdoor patio covered? And do you think it would be very loud if raining?

    No covering

    Do they have a nearby bike rack?

    Yes, in front of the host stand.

    Is outdoor patio seating pet-friendly?

    Yes

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    The Real Taco - Surf and turf burrito

    The Real Taco

    4.4(158 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    Family-owned & operated
    Outdoor seating

    All the way from Tahoe and man oh man that burrito was amazing and there's parking which is a hard…read morething to find around here haha Stop on by Quick update the next day I stopped for a veggie taco the next day....BEST TACO I've ever had. Great flavor and the veggie taco has rice!! Yum Service is fast very nice as well and there are a few tables out front to sit and eat. Stop here you won't be disappointed

    Had lunch here today with the family…read more.. Pros- food was tasty. There were plenty of seats, both shaded and in the sun. Very dog friendly...including ours, there were 4 dogs in total. It's also in a cool location, several other eateries and drink spots to check out. We had 2 super burritos that were customized (one no sour cream, one no beans, both with 2 meats. The crispy beef tacos (fam favorite), and a fish taco (too spicy for me!), oh and chips and salsa. Cons- the super burritos were supposed to come with guacamole, but neither did. Didn't think about it until my son asked, but we were pretty much done eating at that point. We also had to pay for chips and salsa. Never a fan of that. The bag of chips and the salsa containers were also small. If you're going to charge, you should make it worth it for the customer(s). With tip, it was just over $70 bucks in total. Overall we all enjoyed our meal. Next time I'll look for the guacamole earlier, to make sure we get it! The location is near my son's place, so we will likely be back!

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    The Real Taco - Súper taco: choice of meat,cilantro,onions,guacamole,pickles onions and salsa...

    Súper taco: choice of meat,cilantro,onions,guacamole,pickles onions and salsa...

    The Real Taco - Fish burrito.. rice,beans,pico de gallo,red cabbage and spicy mayo sauce!!

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    El Palomar - El Palomar Restaurant - Front View

    El Palomar

    3.7(1.1k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    A delicious choice for every occasion. I've been coming here for over 20 years and love it. The…read moremain restaurant, with its deep booths and beautiful high painted ceilings, is a lovely destination for fancy dinners. The bar is a great date spot, and the taco bar (?) in the dar back is perfect for a quick bite or drink with a buddy. Their chips and salsa are next level. I love coming here for lunch when I work in downtown Santa Cruz.

    3.5 stars. We were looking for a spot to eat after doing a hike at Henry Cowell and found this…read moreplace tucked away on the main street. After not being able to get in at a few other spots, this place didn't have a wait time. Let me get this out of the way first. Service was *excellent.* The interior of the restaurant almost looked like an old church with its arched ceilings and tiled floors. It lent to a very old Mexican Pueblo Town Vibe inside. The outdoor patio (after seeing it) almost made me wish we sat outside after seeing how bright it was out there. It was very dark inside compared to how it was in the patio area. So why the 3.5 stars? The food. Coming from East Side San Jose where Mexican food is plentiful and done well, I can't say that this place came close. The chicken inside the taquitos were so dry inside that I kept wondering if it was shredded chicken that sat out for a long period of time because the juice was sucked out of it. Now let's move onto the beans. I love me some refried beans and these tasted bland. I was so disappointed. The rice was good however I've had better. As for the Asado Rollos which were described to us as a chimichanga that is sliced up, I was also left wanting for more. Taste wise it was lacking. It had all the fillings in there but after having one slice, I was done. There was one thing that was the star of the show here. It was the complimentary chips and salsa which was refilled several times by the staff. These were addicting and probably could have just had these on their own.

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    Taqueria Jalapeños - Breakfast burrito with chorizo

    Taqueria Jalapeños

    3.9(204 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $

    first and foremost i want to plea to the cooks : STOP ACCOMMODATING TO WHITE PEOPLES TASTES BUDS!!…read moreADD THAT SALT AND SPICE!! PLEASE!!! i truly do not want to say the quality is suffering from when i used to get them. I lived two blocks down and they were always my go-to. gen some of the best tacos in downtown santa cruz. ny partner got a carnitas burrito and the flavor was just lacking so much in the beans and rice. i added my fav green sauce to every bite which was upsetting bc i love that sauce and used more of it faster. ill still go whenever i need a good taco - unsure if they do taco tuesdays still but def a good time to try them out. their horchata is also one of my favs in town!!

    Semi-affordable, and decent food, but temper your expectations…read more At Taqueria Jalapeños you'll find relatively affordable and average tasting Mexican food. The shop is tight, compact, and grungy. Parking is minimal but there are a few spaces outside the restaurant.. But what the shop lacks for in size they make up in character. Once you enter, you are greeted with a wide menu with plenty of options that range from weekly specials to Birria Tacos to name a few options. When I had their special California Burrito I was a bit disappointed by the quality of the meat. The carne asada was tough and was full of cartilage. It came to a point where I had to dissect the burrito to remove the carne in order to enjoy the burrito. I will probably not be returning unless there is truly nothing open in the area and I am absolutely starving.

    Photos
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